Stephen Curry

Curry avoided significant injury for the second straight season in 2013-14, playing 78 games for the second consecutive season. Concerns about his wobbly ankles are slowly fading. He averaged a team-high 24.0 points on 47-percent shooting with 4.3 rebounds, 8.5 assists, 1.6 ...

Curry had a poor shooting performance against the Cavaliers on Thursday but still managed to compile 18 points (5-17 FG, 3-9 3Pt, 5-5 FT), three rebounds, six assists, and one steal during his 34 minutes on the court.

Fantasy players that gambled on Curry last season won big. There was plenty of doubt as to whether or not Curry would live up to his near-limitless promise coming off major ankle surgery, but the Warriors' floor general quieted the doubters by playing in 78 games – at a career-high 39 mpg average – scoring 22.9 points and dishing out 6.9 dimes per game (also career bests) and shooting a ridiculous 45.3 percent from long range while canning 272 threes on the season. Something of a statistical oddity – Curry actually shot better from three than he did overall (45.2 percent last season). For added value, he's one of the league's top free-throw shooters, converting 90 percent of his freebies last season. Of course, Curry will continue to be a gamble – ankle problems like his don't simply "go away" – he was slowed by another sprain during the Warriors' playoff loss to San Antonio - and every time he lands awkwardly, fantasy players will hold their collective breath until he starts running again. The departure of backup Jarret Jack is worrisome; his presence allowed Curry to play off the ball on occasion. Toney Douglas will take over the backup role this season, but he's not nearly as good a player.

2012-13

This should be the year that Curry solidifies his place in the fantasy basketball top ten. He's that good. He has a three-point stroke like Ray Allen, converting at percentages you ordinarily see from seven-footers working in the low post. And with Monta Ellis out of the mix, he'll be the primary driving force for Golden State's offense this year. The one significant thing to worry about is that he's been a huge injury risk the last two seasons. Last season, he was limited to just 26 games (out of 66) in the lockout-shortened season. He had surgery in April to remove "loose bodies" from his ankle and has reportedly received a clean bill of health, but the time he missed over last season will almost certainly scare off a lot of potential fantasy owners. He’ll potentially be a buy-low candidate in the second, third, and fourth round of some drafts this season. Whether or not he’ll be worth the risk to draft him early will be based on the reports coming out of training camp. Make sure there are good indicators that he’s healthy before investing too heavily in him this season.

2011-12

Just entering his third NBA season, Curry is already well-established as one of the league’s top backcourt scorers, combining the long-range shooting of a guard with percentages you might expect from a power forward (48.0% FG, 44.2% from three in 2010-11). But his team is in a state of flux; changes could be coming that will impact Curry’s production and overall fantasy value. First off, his first two seasons in the league were played under coaches Don Nelson and Nelson’s long-time assistant Keith Smart. The Warriors finished first and fifth in pace, respectively, in those years. New coach Mark Jackson may not have the team running quite as much. But Curry also shared a backcourt with Monta Ellis during those first two seasons, and if the trade rumors are to be believed, Ellis could be replaced by someone a little more defensive-minded (Philly’s Andre Iguodala, perhaps?). Both situations are worth watching closely when play resumes. Curry is recovering from May ankle surgery, but is expected to be at full strength for the start of the season.

2010-11

In a draft class dominated by point guards, Curry emerged as top dog with his excellent court sense and that truly outstanding jump shot. He didn't come roaring out of the gate like Brandon Jennings; he got better as the season wore on, and in the month of April he averaged a staggering 26.4 points, 8.1 assists and 6.4 rebounds. And unlike many other guards, he's incredibly efficient – his shooting percentage from the field – 46.2 – looks like the number you'd get from a big man. He shot .437 from long range – seventh-best in the league – and made 166 threes on the year. And from the line he was close to perfect, with a free-throw percentage of .885. He could be even better this year, given the benefit of a year's experience in the league, the confidence that comes from a summer spent as one of the key players on Team USA, and a clear role as the Warriors' starting point guard from the outset of training camp.

2009-10

Stephen Curry’s shot is NBA-quality. It remains to be seen if the rest of his game is at the same level. But Curry has a significant advantage over other elite NCAA scorers that haven’t achieved much of anything in the Association – I’m looking at you, J.J. Redick, and you, Adam Morrison. He’ll be playing for Don Nelson. Nellie can get away with playing two shoot-first pseudo-point guards – Curry and Monta Ellis – in the backcourt because he has Stephen Jackson to initiate the offense from the small forward position. That should give Curry the opportunity to do what he does best – shoot – without getting bogged down with the responsibility of running the offense.